Flats to rent in Balham London SW12

Balham is an area of South London which may well be said to fit better than some into the notion of the metropolis really being a collection of villages. That idea may be hard to sustain amid the skyscrapers of the city or Canary Wharf, or the endless Portland Stone white mews of the west end. But Balham may just have a hint of this vibe.

A leafy suburb near to lots of green spaces, it is described by Balham.com as "an accessible and yet intimate place in which to shop, relax, work or live", all of which may sound very much like a village.

Yet, it adds: "The town centre has a number of independent food retailers, two supermarkets, a street market, several boutiques, a range of financial and professional services and a vibrant evening economy, with an enticing selection of restaurants, bars, pubs and even a cinema!"

All this may suggest Balham is a bit self-contained, but while it might indeed offer plenty on the doorsteps of those seeking property to rent in the borough of Wandsworth, it can also appeal because of its accessibility to the rest of London.

In transport terms, this comes through having a rail and underground interchange station. Oyster Card holders can use this to access trains to Victoria, or southwards to Croydon.

The Tube operates from here on the Northern Line, which offers two branches, making direct access possible to the City and the West End, as well as the major transport hubs of Euston and Kings Cross-St Pancras.

Sports fans may enjoy this line as well, with the Oval Tube station a stone's throw from the famous cricket ground, while southbound trains go to South Wimbledon, which is good news for Tennis fans.

For those seeking a bit of recreation themselves, Balham has its own leisure centre, while seekers of some outdoor greenery can enjoy nearby Clapham Common to the north, Wandsworth Common to the west and Tooting Bec Common to the east.

Having open spaces may be welcomed by many and not least those with young children. A good reason for families to rent in the area is the schools. This is not a matter of local opinion but of record: Wandsworth scored the highest Key Stage three marks for 11-year-olds this year in inner London and was one of the top ten authorities in the country, the council proudly announced in December 2010.

This included 78 per cent of pupils achieving at least level four in both English and Maths, while four schools saw all their pupils achieving the grades.

Of course, many moving to Balham may be single, or at least child-free, with lots of time to enjoy the finer things in life. When it comes to pubs, clubs and bars, The Bedford, the Duke of Devonshire, the Prince of Wales and the Moon Under Water are four such hostelries that may be enjoyed.

As for food fans, everything from chain brands like Pizza Express to Nando's are present, while local restaurants include Indian food at the Light of Gurkha, The Lounge with its Spanish fare and Italian outlet the Ristorante Numero Uno.

With such an array of good local things and the ease of travel access to all London has to offer, some may easily conclude Balham is a numero uno place to live.